ate suffix syllable stress

Words containing the -ate suffix are usually stressed third-from-the-end of the word (or two syllables before the -ate). The -ate suffix is pronounced differently in words that are nouns and adjectives than it is pronounced in -ate verbs. Adverbs ending in -ately are usually pronounced with a glottal stop and are stressed two syllables before the -ate.

-ate Suffix Syllable Stress Pattern

The complex and versatile -ate suffix is used to create nouns, adjectives, and verbs. While the primary stress of most words containing the -ate falls on the third-from-last syllable, the suffix itself is pronounced differently depending on the part of speech the word is used in.

-ate suffix: nouns and adjectives

When a word containing an -ate suffix is a noun or an adjective, the vowel sound of the suffix is unstressed and is pronounced with a short i/ɪ/.

-ate suffix: verbs

When a word containing an -ate suffix is a verb, the vowel sound of the suffix is given a secondary stress and is pronounced with a long a/eɪ/.

Example -ate suffix sentence

The following sentence demonstrates the difference in pronunciation between -ate suffix nouns, adjective, and verbs.

They had to evaluate (verb) the certificate (noun) to be certain that it was accurate (adjective).

-ate + -ly suffix adverbs

Adjectives ending in -ate can have an additional -ly added to them, creating an adverb. The primary stress of the word remains two syllables before the -ate suffix. However, the /t/ of the -ately suffix is usually pronounced as the glottal stop /ʔ/, a /t/ allophone.

-ate suffix Heteronyms

Some words containing the -ate suffix are heteronyms, meaning that a single spelling can have more than one pronunciation. When this occurs in words containing the -ate suffix, the suffix retains the pattern of nouns and adjectives being pronounced as /ɪ/ and verbs being pronounced as /eɪ/.

I'd like to elaborate (verb) on my proposal.

The elaborate (adjective) house had twelve bedrooms and sixteen fireplaces.

Pronuncian: American English Pronunciation

Learn and practice American English pronunciation with free online lessons and videos. Minimal pairs and listen-and repeat practice helps English Language Learners speak English more fluently and achieve accent reduction.

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